Rescuers in Washington state are hailing the incredible resilience and resourcefulness of a 10-year-old girl who managed to survive over 24 hours alone in the rugged terrain of the Cascade Mountains after getting separated from her family during an outing.
According to CNN, Shunghla Mashwani was enjoying a gathering with her extended family in the picturesque Cle Elum River Valley on Sunday when she unintentionally became separated from the group. They were crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river to have lunch near the Cathedral Pass Trailhead, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. Kittitas County is situated approximately 85 miles east of Seattle.
How a 10-Year-Old Girl Survived Alone in Harsh Terrain for Over 24 Hours
Originally from Afghanistan, Shunghla and her family moved to the United States two years ago. According to the sheriff's office, they frequently seek solace in the high backcountry because it reminds them of their home.
According to The Guardian, Shunghla recounted her ordeal, explaining that she couldn't locate the nearby bridge her family had crossed, leading to her being separated and left alone. The sheriff's office reported, "Shunghla told her family and rescuers she found herself suddenly separated and alone when the family was traveling back toward the footbridge and she couldn't find the bridge on her own."
After noticing Shunghla's absence, approximately 20 adults from the family group retraced their steps and initiated a search. However, due to the lack of cell service in the area, a passerby offered to call the police using a satellite phone from a nearby cabin around 2 p.m.
In response, deputies, volunteer ground search teams, and law enforcement personnel from neighboring agencies swiftly joined the search efforts. Drones, helicopters, and K9 units were also deployed to aid in the search for Shunghla.
Young Girl's Survival Story Highlights Strength in the Face of Adversity
Realizing the language barrier, the sheriff's office requested the girl's father record a reassuring message in their native language, which was broadcast throughout the search area. The message conveyed that people were actively searching for Shunghla and doing their utmost to help her, according to a spokesperson for the sheriff's office. "The search area was steep, rugged, and remote, with dense trees and undergrowth cut through by the fast-running Cle Elum River," stated the sheriff's office, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by the search teams.
According to CTV News, after spending more than 24 hours alone in the wilderness, Shunghla was finally located by two ground search volunteers around 3 p.m. on Monday, approximately 1.5 miles south of where she was last seen. Remarkably, she had only sustained minor scrapes. Recalling her experience, Shunghla told CNN affiliate KING that she tried to sleep during the night and planned to wake up early in the morning to find her parents in the forest.
"She hiked downstream through the dense forest and spent the cold night between some trees. She said she knew it was the right thing to follow the river. She proved an extraordinarily resourceful and resilient 10-year-old," praised the sheriff's office. Shunghla's courageous survival story serves as a testament to her remarkable determination and the unwavering dedication of the search and rescue teams who tirelessly worked to bring her back safely.
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